Are The Networks Tricking Us Into Watching Award Shows Again?

It wasn't that long ago when people cared about award shows.  Of course, people primarily cared about the Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, and - to a lesser extent - the Grammys.  In fact, people cared so much about these award shows that the networks and big production companies decided it would be a worthwhile venture to make more award shows, which turned out to be a successful venture.  MTV discovered that they can boost their ratings with the Music Video Awards and Movie Awards, ABC and Dick Clark manufactured the American Music Awards and (I believe) the People's Choice Awards.

Anyway, people seemed to have smartened up a bit over the last few years and the ratings for the nonsensical award shows began to fall.  And, just when I thought it was safe to venture back into pop culture observation Kanye West decided to go nuts in front of the country and award shows became culturally relevant to watch again.  (Now, when I say culturally relevant I mean pop culturally relevant as most of these shows really give accolades to what most would consider art.)

So, I wasn't surprised in the least to discover that there was some controversy from the recent American Music Awards.  Apparently, Adam Lambert did something overtly sexual and the social conservatives got aroused, which means they instantly have to complain to ABC. 

I have absolutely no doubt that ABC and Dick Clark Productions hoped something like this would happen.  After all, if audiences begin to believe that crazy things are going to occur during live broadcasts than they might actually tune in, which would drive up the price for ad space. 

Does this mean that we're entering a new age of more horrible award shows?  I guess we'll have to just wait and see.  I think there's a greater chance that there will just be more heavily marketed live events.